On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 21:41:34 +0000 (UTC), "Ambrose Nankivell"
wrote:
Steven wrote:
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 17:05:54 GMT,
(Neil Williams) wrote:
The seating is not "reserved for wheelchair passengers and their
companions". Anyone may sit there, but should be fair to disabled
passengers who can't safely position themselves elsewhere by moving
in the rare event that such a passenger does board.
Interestingly, although I'm a regular rail user, I've *never* seen
anyone with a wheel chair use a train.
And yet millions have been spent just in case one should ever want to.
Strangely enough, on the suburban line I use most frequently, where all
stations (but one) have easy ramp access (with the line generally running in
a cutting), I see wheelchair users fairly often. Say, 1 journey in 5. Also I
see them boarding at New Street not infrequently.
I've often wondered if the lack of wheelchair users on some lines is down to the
difficulties getting to the correct platform.
There are still stations with island platforms that require the use of steep
steps to use an underpass. I believe it's no longer allowed for staff to push a
wheelchair accross the tracks.